MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Washington makes access to Cuba easier

New guidelines announced Friday by Obama administration making travel and remittance to Cuba easier for US citizens.

The White House statement says that the measures “will increase people-to-people contact; support civil society in Cuba; enhance the free flow of information to, from, and among the Cuban people; and help promote their independence from Cuban authorities,”.

Under the new regulations, religious organizations and educational institutions will be able to sponsor travel to Cuba.

Universities will also be allowed to organize academic seminars, conferences and workshops in Cuba with participation by faculty, staff and students.

“Specific licensing for a greater scope of journalistic activities; is likewise to be permitted, the White House said.

Fulfilling a campaign promise, President Barack Obama issued an order in April 2009 scrapping restrictions on travel and remittances to Cuba for Cuban-Americans with family on the island.

The changes announced Friday include authorization for any U.S. resident to send up to $500 per quart=r to non-relatives in Cuba for the purpose of supporting private economic activity.

Money may not be sent to government officials or Communist Party members.